"'Only two hours ashore, your honour,' replied Will. 'I'd just come from China, and got taking a glass with one messmate and a glass with another.' "Alderman. 'The sure way to get drunk. You should have taken a glass with but one messmate.' "'Your honour is an excellent preacher, and it's all very true; but if an old sailor, after a long voyage, when all hands are piped ashore, refused to drink with every mate who asked him, he'd be called a scaly fellow, and you know I should not like that.' "Bunce. 'I did not mind the assault, but I thought it was better to put him in a place of safety for his own sake.' "'D--e, you're an honest fellow, after all,' exclaimed the tar, seizing the officer's hand and squeezing it till the tears started into Bunce's eyes. 'Come, and we'll make it right over a glass of grog, old boy.' "Alderman. 'I doubt whether you have any money left.' "Will felt in his pockets, and could not find a copper. 'All gone! all gone!' exclaimed the tar, mournfully. "'It's all right--I've got his money safe,' said Bunce, drawing forth an ample handful of silver and gold. "'Huzza! huzza! Old England for ever!' vociferated the delighted tar, when he saw the money; and, seizing Bunce by the collar, 'Come along, come along, old boy; I'm as dry as a dolphin.' "Bunce refused till he counted the money, shilling by shilling, in the presence of the alderman; but, when he began to do so, Will found the operation too slow for the current of his feelings; and, catching up the officer by the waist, he carried him off in triumph, exclaiming, 'Keep it, my boy, keep it; we'll drink every penny of it; and maybe his honour there' (turning to the alderman), 'would take a drop of summut.' "The alderman could not contain his gravity, but he declined the offer; and Will set off with the officer still firmly held in his grip." As a specimen of the manners of the age (and I cannot see that they have greatly improved now), we may take the following extract from a private letter, dated Windsor, August 15th:--